Hi Denis,

>Is this an european thing?

No. In Germany (that has similar rules for last names as the US) it's still uncommon. The difference is just that in Europe it's equally possible, whereas in the US it seems to be a major problem for a man to change his name, but zero effort for a women to do the same.

Other european countries have different rules for last names. Spain comes to my mind where everone has two last names that derive from the mother's and father's last name.

--
Christof